Method for distributing information

ABSTRACT

A system for distributing information comprises at least one content source ( 2, 3 ), at least one client ( 4, 5 ), a communication network ( 6 ), a distribution server ( 1 ), a profile data base ( 10 ) associated with the distribution server ( 1 ) in which client profile information is stored, and a target count unit ( 9 ) in the distribution server ( 10 ) for effecting a target count by comparing the client profile information of the profile data base ( 10 ) with target client information of a target count request sent from one of the content sources ( 2, 3 ). Information from one of the content sources ( 2, 3 ) is distributed to at least one client ( 4, 5 ) by means of the distribution server ( 1 ) corresponding to the result of the target count effected by the target count unit ( 9 ).

The present invention relates to a method for distributing informationfrom at least one content source to at least one client by means of anetwork and a server, to a system for distributing information as wellas to a server for distributing information.

It is generally known to distribute (share) information in a networkcomprising at least one server and at least one client.

From EP-A-749 081 an information and advertising distribution system isknown. A data server stores and updates a data base of information itemsand advertisements. The information items and advertisements are eachcategorized so that each has an associated information category. Workstations remotely located from the data server each include a displaydevice, a communication interlace for receiving at least a subset of theinformation items and advertisements in the data server's database andlocal memory for storing the information items and advertisementsreceived from the data server. An information administrator in each workstation establishes communication with the data server from time to timeso as to update the information items and advertisements stored in alocal memory with at least a subset of the information items andadvertisements stored by the data server. An information displaycontroller in each work station displays on the work stations displaydevice at least a subset of the information items and advertisementsstored in a local memory when the work station needs predefined idlenesscriteria. At least a subset of the work stations include a profile of astoring subscriber profile data. The subscriber profile data representssubscriber information viewing preferences, indicating informationcategories for which the subscriber does and does not want to viewinformation items. The information display controller includes a filterfor excluding from the information items displayed on the display devicethose information items inconsistent with its subscriber profile data.According to this known system therefore a filter process is effected onthe remote work stations on the basis of the information items and thesubscriber profile data stored in the profiler of the work stations.

From U.S. Pat. No. 5,515,098 a system for distributing commercials to anindividually addressable subscriber terminal on a network is known.Commercial messages to be distributed over the network contain imbeddedinformation identifying categories of recipients for each message. Aserver located on the network, provides each commercial with addressesof terminals to which the commercial is to be distributed. The addressesare selected by the server based on demographic and other informationrelated to the households of subscribers. The commercial is received byan addressable set-top box and displayed on a TV screen.

From U.S. Pat. No. 5,864,823 a system for distribution of advertisementsto interested recipients only via one-way non-addressable televisionmedia and for transmission of orders from recipients to advertisers viatwo-way addressable Internet media is known. At the recipients side,each preliminary message is processed by a computer that storesrecipients profile data, and if the profile indicates an interest, thecorresponding advertisement is selected and its presentation is recordedat the time of transmission. The recipients never see the messages asthey are intended for high-speed-volume automatic processing by therecipients computers. Each recipients computer compares all preliminarymessages with recipients profile data so that each advertisement wouldbe selected or rejected before it is transmitted. Profile data arecollected by presenting relevant questions with multiple-choice answersto the recipient. The non-addressable communication medium therefore isonly used for transmission of preliminary messages which are notviewable by the user. It is important to note that the preliminarymessage is sent prior to the advertisement and therefore the contentitself. Prior to the transmission of a digital file containing ancontent an authorization message can be sent via e-mail to recipients.The message specifies access dieter.

Furthermore the use of profile databases is known. In the followingdocuments disclosing profile databases will be shortly cited. From U.S.Pat. No. 5,537,586 an apparatus for retrieving and selecting profiledtextual information records from a data base of defined categorystructures is known. Priority values are assigned to each of a pluralityof predefined category structures. Textual records are assigned arelevance value with respect to each category structure. If a record'srelevance value exceeds a predetermined threshold value, that record isassociated with the category structure. Each category has a list ofassociated textual records which are retrieved. Textural records areselected from the set of retrieved textural records and assembled into aset. Information on how the subscriber uses the set is gathered, and newrankings for the category structure are computed.

From U.S. Pat. No. 5,617,565 a broadcast interactive multimedia systemis known. In said document a procedure for selecting and storing dataelements communicated from a common data base to users of the data baseutilising a communication link between each transmitter and aconcomitant receiver accessible by the user is known. The transmittedinformation is augmented with attributes which are used at the receiverto select and then store locally only that information of interest toeach receiver's user, wherein the attributes and the user selectionpaten determine secretariat for storing information locally.

From EP-A-718 784 a personalised information retrieval method and systembased on a user-defined profile is known. A user-controlled clientestablishes communication with a stateless server, the server presentinga list of options to the client between the server and the client. Theclient provides an identification of the user-defined profile.

It is the object of the present invention to provide for a technique fordistributing information in a network in a particularly efficient way.

The object is achieved by means of the features of the independentclaims. The dependent claims develop further the central idea of thepresent invention.

According to the present invention therefore a method for distributinginformation from at least one content source, e.g. a content source toat least one client by means of a network and a distribution server isproposed. A profile data base which is associated to the distributionserver is created, wherein in the profile data base client profileinformation is stored. A target counter request from one of the contentsources is sent to the distribution server, wherein in the targetcounter request contains target client information. Then a target countis effected in the distribution server by comparing the client profileinformation of the profile data base with a target client information ofthe target count request. Then information from one of the contentsources is distributed to at least one client by means of thedistribution server, wherein the information is distributed incorrespondence to the result of the target count step. “Incorrespondence to the result of the target count step” can for examplemean that parameters of the logical or physical channel from thedistribution server to the client are changed depending on the targetcount step.

For example, in case the result of the target count step exceeds apredetermined threshold, the information can be distributed from thedistribution server to the clients by means of a broadcast transmission.In case the result of the target count step is smaller than thepredetermined threshold, the information can be distributed from thedistribution server to the clients by means of a target transmission.

Broadcast transmission in the sense of the present description is anytransmission of information according to which no address part isattached to the information. In contrast thereto target transmission isto be understood as a transmission according to which an address part oraddress tag is attached to the information to be transmitted such thatthe target of the transmission is identified.

A feedback channel is created respectively from a client, which justreceived information distributed by the distribution server, to thedistribution server, for transmitting an action feedback informationrepresenting an action of a user of the corresponding client in responseto the information distributed by the distribution server.

The action feedback information can be used to update the profile database.

An action report information based on the action feedback informationcan be generated in the distribution server and transmitted to thecorresponding content source.

The information distributed by the distribution server can contain alink information representing an address of the network at which addressfurther information related to the information distributed by thedistribution server is stored.

The following steps can be executed to update the profile data baseduring a sign-up process:

a registration request can be sent from a client to the distributionserver,

subsequently a predefined registration form is sent from thedistribution server to the corresponding client,

user details are sent in response to the predefined registration formfrom the corresponding client to the distribution server, and

the profile data base is updated on the basis of the user details.

According to the present invention furthermore a system for distributinginformation is provided. The system comprises at least one contentsource, at least one client, a communication network, a distributionserver, a profile data base associated with the distribution server inwhich client profile information is stored, and a target count unit inthe distribution server for effecting a target count by comparing theclient profile information of the profile data base with target clientinformation of a target count request sent from one of the contentsources. The information from one of the content sources is distributedto at least one client by means of the distribution server incorrespondence to the result of the target count. The content sourcescan for example be content sources.

The distribution server of the unit can comprise a unit for changing theparameters of the logical and/or physical distribution channel from thedistribution server to the at least one client depending on the targetcount.

In the distribution server a decision unit can be provided whichcompares the result of the target count to the predetermined threshold.In case the result of the target count exceeds a predeterminedthreshold, the information is distributed from the distribution serverto the clients by means of a broadcast transmission. In case the resultof the target count is smaller than a predetermined threshold, theinformation is distributed from the distribution server to the clientsby means of a targeted transmission.

A feedback channel can be established respectively from a client, whichreceived information distributed by the distribution server, to thedistribution server, for transmitting an action feedback informationrepresenting an action of a user of the corresponding client in responseto the information distributed by the distribution server.

The action feedback information can be used to update the profile database.

The distribution server can generate an action report information basedon the action feedback information and transmit the action reportinformation to the corresponding content source.

The information distributed by the distribution server can contain alink information representing an address of the network where furtherinformation related to the information distributed by the distributionserver is stored.

The profile data base can be updated every time a use of a client issigning up with the distribution server.

According to the present invention furthermore a distribution servercomprising a profile data base and a target count unit is provided. Thedistribution server of the unit can comprise a unit for changing theparameters of the logical and/or physical distribution channel from thedistribution server to the at least one client depending on the targetcount.

The distribution server can comprise a feedback evaluation unit foranalysing a feedback channel signal from one of the clients. Furthermorethe server can comprise a decision unit.

In the following further objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will come clearer from the following description of preferredembodiments of the present invention and by reference to the figures ofthe enclosed drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a system for the distribution of information by means of adistribution server and a network,

FIG. 2 shows the signing up process according to the present invention,

FIG. 3 shows the notification process according to the presentinvention, and

FIG. 4 shows an example for a notification according to the presentinvention.

With reference to FIG. 1 at first a system for distributing informationaccording to the present invention will be explained.

The central part of the system according to the present invention is adistribution server 1. Further elements of the system are at least onecontent source, as for example content sources 2, 3, at least one client4, 5, and a network 6 which can be for example the Internet. Thedistribution server 1 can communicate with the content sources 2, 3 andthe clients 4, 5 by means of the network 6. However, according to theexample of FIG. 1, the content sources 2, 3 do not connect directly withthe clients 4, 5. If information is to be transmitted from one of thecontent sources 2, 3, to at least one client 4, 5, this is done by meansof the distribution server 1.

Note that the clients can be for example personal computers or TVreceiver with set-top units.

As shown in FIG. 1, the network 6 is only one possibility for acommunication between the distribution server 1 and the clients 4, 5.For example the distribution server 1 can communicate by means of anantenna 15 and a broadcast channel 16 with the clients 4, 5, which areprovided with antennas 17 and 18, respectively. According to theembodiment of FIG. 1 this broadcast channel 16 is a oneway downlinkbroadcast channel. Note that the shown wireless transmission for thebroadcast channel 16 is only one example and other broadcast techniques,such as for example cables etc. can be used correspondingly. As thebroadcast channel 16 according to the embodiment of FIG. 1 is a onewaydownlink channel from the distribution server 1 to the clients 4, 5, aclient 5 which wants to respond by some action to an informationreceived on this down link broadcast channel 16 from the distributionserver 1, can establish a feedback channel 7 by means of the network 6to the distribution server 1 and/or the content sources 2, 3 or evenother external sources. The feedback channel 7 therefore can beestablished by the same or another physical channel as the downlinkchannel.

According to the embodiment of FIG. 1, the distribution server 1 canonly be accessed by the clients 4, 5 by means of the network 6 i.e. bythe feedback channel 7. Therefore the distribution server 1 is providedwith a input port 11. The information received from client 4, 5 and/or acontent source 2, 3 therefore is input to the port 11 and then forwardedfor further processing to a profile manager 12 connected to a profiledata base 10 and a target count unit 9. The profile manager 12 isconnected to the input port 11 to analyse any action behaviour by theuser of a client 4, 5 and to update the profile data base 10correspondingly. As will be shown later on, particularly the behaviourof the user of a client 4, 5 during a signing up process is analysed bythe profile manager 12 to update the profile data base 10correspondingly. As it is known from the prior art, in the profile database 10 typical characteristics of users of the clients 4, 5, which arecalled client profile information, are stored.

The distribution server 1 furthermore comprises a feedback evaluationunit 20 for analysing a feedback channel signal from one of the clientsas will be described later on in detail. The feedback evaluation unit 20is connected to the profile manager 12 to update the profile database 10based on the analysis of the feedback channel signal from one of theclients. Furthermore the feedback evaluation unit 20 is connected to thetarget transmission unit 13 to send a feedback report based on theanalysis of the feedback channel signal to a content source 2, 3, whichwill be described later on with reference to FIG. 3.

In case an information received at the input port 11 of the distributionserver 1 contains a target count request from a content source 2, 3,this target count request is supplied to the target count unit 9 whichon the other hand accesses the profile data base 10 to forward a targetcount result to a decision unit 8. The decision unit 8 compares theresult of the target count effected by the target count unit 9 with apredetermined threshold supplied by a threshold unit 19. The decisionunit 8 effects a decision on the basis of said comparison. Incorrespondence to the result of the decision effected by the decisionunit 8 according to the embodiment of FIG. 1 information supplied fromone of the content sources 2, 3 to the distribution server 1 isdistributed.

According to one example, for example if the target count resultgenerated by the target count unit 9 is higher than the threshold valueapplied from this threshold unit 19, the decision unit 8 controls thebroadcast transmission unit 14 to distribute the information originatingfrom one of the content sources 2, 3 on the broadcast channel 16. If,however, the target count result output by the target count unit 9 issmaller than the predetermined threshold value supplied from thethreshold unit 19, the information originating from one of the contentsources 2, 3 is distributed by the distribution server 1 by means of atargeted transmission (for example a transmission over the network 6).With other words, depending on the target count result generated by thetarget count unit 9 the decision unit 8 controls a broadcasttransmission unit 14 or the target transmission unit 13 to effect a downlink transmission to at least one of the clients 4, 5.

Note that generally speaking, according to the present inventioninformation is distributed by the distribution server in correspondenceto the result of the target count step meaning that parameters of thelogical or physical channel from the distribution server to the clientare changed depending on the target count step.

The operation of the distribution server 1 within the system as shown inFIG. 1 will now be explained with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4.

With reference to FIG. 2 at first a signing up process according to thepresent invention shall be explained.

In a step S1 one of clients contacts the distribution server 1 for aregistration. This step S1 represents the initial contact. In a step S2a registration form is sent from the distribution server 10 to thecorresponding clients 4, 5. In the registration form predeterminedcategories to be responded by the user of the clients are proposed. Forexample the registration form contains questions.

In a step S3 user details are transmitted from the client to thedistribution server 1, wherein the user details are in correspondence tothe categories of the registration form transmitted in step S2. The userdetails are therefore embedded in the executed registration form sent toback to the distribution server 1.

In a step S4 the profile manager (12 in FIG. 1) updates the profile database (10 in FIG. 1) to incorporate the newly submitted details of thecorresponding client.

After the client registers, content can be received or accessed in threedifferent ways, which are shown as steps S5, S6 and S7 in FIG. 2.Firstly, the client can receive or access content through a device witha web browser, for example netscape navigator on a personal computer, instep S5. Alternatively, the client can receive or access content bydownloading and installing a custom application, for example theconnection centre on the personal computer, in a step S6. Furtheralternatively, the client can receive or access content by usingpreinstalled software on a device, which is not a personal computer, forexample by using embedded software in a television set top box, in astep S7.

With reference to FIG. 3 a notification process according to the presentinvention is explained. Thereby it is assumed that a client has alreadysigned-up with the distribution server 1 by means of the process setforth above.

In a step S11 a content source (2, 3 in FIG. 1) sends a target countrequest to the distribution server 1. A target count request comprisespredetermined parameters of the categories stored in the profile database 10 associated with the distribution server 1. In a step S12therefore the target count unit 9 of the distribution server 1 suppliedwith the target parameters of the target count request can effect atarget count by accessing the profile data base 10. The target countresult generated in step S12 is then sent to the requesting contentsource in a step S13. Depending on the target count result received inthe step S13, the content source can then decide whether an informationcontent is to be submitted in a step S14 to the distribution server 1.

Once the distribution server 1 has received an informational content ina step S14, the decision unit 8 in the distribution server 1 makes adecision based on the target count result generated by the target countunit 9 and a predetermined threshold value supplied from the thresholdunit 19. The decision unit 8 decides on the parameters of the logicaland/or physical distribution channel from the distribution server 1 tothe at least one client 4, 5 depending on the result of the target countstep.

In the present embodiment, the decision unit 8 can decide betweendifferent predefined physical downlink channels for a transmission ofinformation channel from the distribution server 1 to the at least oneclient 4, 5. With other words, depending on a target count result forexample a decision broadcast verses target transmission is effected bythe decision unit 8. Then the decision unit 8 controls the broadcasttransmission unit 14 or the target transmission unit 13 to transmit theinformational content originating from the content source as anotification to at least one of the clients in a step S16.

Additionally or alternatively the decision unit 8 can adjust theparameters of the logical and/or physical distribution channel from thedistribution server 1 to the at least one client 4, 5 depending on theresult of the target count step, to optimize the transmission efficiency(costs, time, bandwidth, . . . ).

The informational content sent as a notification in step S16 from thedistribution server to the client can comprise information as where tofind further related information (for example a internet hyper link). Ina step S17 therefore the client can request further informationalcontent from the distribution server 1 by connecting the distributionserver 1 in step S17. Additionally or alternatively the client canconnect the content source or any other node of network 6 in a step S18to request related informational content. Note that a client can requestand receive content from any node of the network either by directlyconnecting to the corresponding node or by connecting to thecorresponding node through the distribution server. In step S19, thedistribution server 1 sends the requested content to the client 1.Additionally or alternatively the content source or a respective othernode can send the requested related informational content to the client1 in step S20.

As soon as the client shows any action response to the notificationreceived in step S16, the feedback channel (7 in FIG. 1) is establishedand feedback information is transmitted on the feedback channel from theclient to the distribution server 1 in step S21. Note that thedistribution server receives the feedback information independently fromthe fact whether the client has contacted the distribution server, thecontent source or any other node of the network to collect relatedinformational content.

In a step S22 the feedback evaluation unit 20 of the distribution server1 evaluates the feedback information received on the feedback channel instep S21. In correspondence to the evaluation in step S22, the feedbackevaluation unit 20 controls the profile manager 12 to update the profiledata base 10 as an example. Furthermore the feedback evaluation unit 20controls the target transmission unit 13 to send a feedback reportrepresenting the evaluated feedback evaluation in a step S23 to thecontent source which has initially requested a target count andsubmitted the content (steps S11 and S14 respectively).

With reference to FIG. 4 particular example for the notification processof FIG. 3 will be explained. In the example a content source which canbe a service provider sends a target count request to the distributionserver. The parameter of the target count request in the example of FIG.4 is ‘How many Clive Cussler fans are in the profile data base?’. Thedistribution server effects the target count and sends the target countresult in the example of FIG. 4 ‘12000’ to the service providerrequesting.

Furthermore the service provider can be informed about the price of eachof the contacts possible. In the example of FIG. 4 the service providerstarts another alternative or additional target count request ‘How manyaction novel fans?’. In this case according to the example of FIG. 4 thetarget count result is ‘12000’ and another price for each possiblecontact is offered by the distribution server to the service providerrequesting. Then the service provider instructs the distribution serverto send a content information and to point for example to an internetaddress ‘www.joybook.xxx/cussler’.

In case a client has logged on the distribution server (and is initiallyregistered with the distribution server) the client which (according tothe profile data base in the distribution server) is a Clive Cussler fanor a action novel fan receives the information by the distributionserver. In the feedback channel then the action feedback information issent from the client to the distribution server. The action feedbackinformation can for example represent whether the client has only seenthe message of the information received or whether he has shown anyhigher level action feedback such as for example connecting to thedistribution server or the content source (or any other node of thenetwork) in response to the informational message received.

What is claimed is:
 1. Method for distributing information from at leastone content source to at least one client by means of a network and adistribution server, the method comprising the following steps: creatinga profile database associated with the distribution server, wherein inthe profile database client information is stored, sending a targetcount request from one of the content sources to the distributionserver, the target count request containing target client information,effecting a target count in the distribution server by comparing theclient profile information of the profile database with the targetclient information of the target count request, and distributinginformation from one of the content sources to at least one client bymeans of the distribution server, wherein the information is distributedin correspondence to the result of the target count step; wherein incase the result of the target count step exceeds a predeterminedthreshold, the information is distributed from the distribution serverto the clients by means of a broadcast transmission using a firsttransmission means, and in case the result of the target count step issmaller than a predetermined threshold, the information is distributedfrom the distribution server to the clients by means of a targetedtransmission using a second transmission means.
 2. Method fordistributing information according to claim 1, characterized in thatparameters of the logical and/or physical distribution channel from thedistribution server to the at least one client are changed depending onthe result of the target count step.
 3. Method for distributinginformation according to claim 1, characterized in that a feedbackchannel respectively from a client, which received informationdistributed by the distribution server, to the distribution serverand/or the content sources is established for transmitting an actionfeedback information representing an action of an user of thecorresponding client in response to the information distributed by thedistribution server.
 4. Method for distributing information according toclaim 3, characterized in that the action feedback information is usedto update the profile database.
 5. Method for distributing informationaccording to claim 3, characterized in that an action report informationbased on the action feedback information is generated in thedistribution server and transmitted to the corresponding content source.6. Method for distributing information according to claim 1,characterized in that the information distributed by the distributionserver contains a link information representing an address of thenetwork where further information related to the information distributedby the distribution server is stored.
 7. Method for distributinginformation according to claim 1, characterized by the following stepssending a registration request from a client to the distribution server,sending a predefined registration form from the distribution server tothe corresponding client, sending user details in response to thepredefined registration form from the corresponding client to thedistribution server, and updating the profile database on the basis ofthe user details.
 8. Method for distributing information according toclaim 1, characterized in that the first transmission means includes anantenna, and the second transmission means includes a networkconnection.
 9. System for distributing information, comprising: at leastone content source, at least one client, a communication network, adistribution server, a profile database associated with the distributionserver and in which client information is stored, a target count unit inthe distribution server for effecting a target count by comparing theclient profile information of the profile database with target clientinformation of a target count request sent from one of the contentsources, wherein information from one of the content sources isdistributed to at least one client by means of the distribution server,wherein the information is distributed in correspondence to the resultof the target count, and a decision unit in the distribution server forcomparing the result of the target count with a predetermined threshold,wherein in case the result of the target count step exceeds thepredetermined threshold, the information is distributed from thedistribution server to the clients by means of a broadcast transmissionusing a first transmission means, and in case the result of the targetcount step is smaller than the predetermined threshold, the informationis distributed from the distribution server to the clients by means of atargeted transmission using a second transmission means.
 10. System fordistributing information according to claim 9, characterized by a unitfor changing the parameters of the logical and/or physical distributionchannel from the distribution server to the at least one clientdepending on the result of the target count.
 11. System for distributinginformation according to claim 9, characterized by a feedback channelrespectively from a client, which received information distributed bythe distribution server, to the distribution server and/or the contentsources for transmitting an action feedback information representing anaction of an user of the corresponding client in response to theinformation distributed by the distribution server.
 12. System accordingto claim 11, wherein the action feedback information is used to updatethe profile database.
 13. System according to claim 11, wherein thedistribution server generates an action report information based on theaction feedback information and transmits the action report informationto the corresponding content source.
 14. System according to claim 10,characterized in that the information distributed by the distributionserver contains a link information representing an address of thenetwork where further information related to the information distributedby the distribution server is stored.
 15. System according to claim 10,characterized in that the profile database is updated every time a userof a client is signing up with the distribution server.
 16. System fordistributing information according to claim 9, characterized in that thefirst transmission means includes an antenna, and the secondtransmission means includes a network connection.
 17. Server for thedistribution of information, a profile database in which clientinformation is stored, a target count unit for effecting a target countby comparing the client profile information of the profile database withtarget client information of a target count request sent from a contentsource connected to the distribution server, wherein the distributionserver is designed to distribute information to at least one client incorrespondence to the result of the target count by means of a network,and a decision unit for comparing the result of the target count with apredetermined threshold, wherein in case the result of the target countstep exceeds the predetermined threshold, the information is distributedfrom the distribution server to the clients by means of a broadcasttransmission using a first transmission means, and in case the result ofthe target count step is smaller than the predetermined threshold, theinformation is distributed from the distribution server to the clientsby means of a targeted transmission using a second transmission means.18. Server for the distribution of information according to claim 17,characterized by a unit for changing the parameters of the logicaland/or physical distribution channel from the distribution server to theat least one client depending on the result of the target count. 19.Server for the distribution of information according to claim 17,characterized in that it comprises a feedback evaluation unit foranalysing a feedback channel signal from one of the clients.
 20. Serverfor the distribution of information according to claim 17, characterizedin that the profile database is updated every time a user of a client issigning up with the distribution server.
 21. Server for the distributionof information according to claim 17, characterized in that the firsttransmission means includes an antenna, and the second transmissionmeans includes a network connection.